Emmanuel College Campus Pastor Chris Maxwell’s New Book Focuses on “Presence” at Christmas

(FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga.)—In October inspirational writer and speaker Chris Maxwell publishes his book, Unwrapping His Presence: What We Really Need for Christmas, that will help readers welcome Christ in a season often swept away in hurry, stress, and conflict.

“As Christians, we talk about remembering the true meaning of this season. We fuss about Jesus being left out. We then find ourselves trapped in the rush of our own holiday hurry. We notice very little difference between ourselves and those whose beliefs we debate. … God, though, has a suggestion. He wants us to take time to take His Holy Presence, wrapped below our hurried flow of chores and choirs and dinners, and unwrap it. As we find Him, we find Him to be just what we need,” says Maxwell in an excerpt from Unwrapping His Presence.

The Christmas season brings a variety of emotions and, sadly, many memories are not always pleasant. Rather than focusing on unpleasant memories, readers are invited to remember Christ and welcome Him into their own personal situations.

“Christmas can mean different things to many people. Created by God for the purposes of worship and fellowship, the reader is transported back in time. Maxwell takes us on a journey as only he can by reliving Jesus’ story in light of the true meaning of Christmas. Chris combines poetry with extraordinary story telling. Through these pages, I could smell the food, see the lights, and hear the chorals from days gone by at Christmas. I was prodded to reach back and discover for myself once again what Christmas is all about. Christmas is about reflection and the birth of Christ. Chris makes sure we never forget what Christmas means- that being Christ at the center of every present and presence,” says Chip B. Furr, the president and founder of CLIMB in Charlotte, N.C. and author of Thin Places.

Maxwell uses a variety of writing styles to interact with his readers. Poetry, prose, poetic prose, historical context, and probing questions are used for readers to pause from the busyness of life. It is a compilation of his experiences, along with the experiences of writer Mary DeMent and artwork by Brent Chitwood.

“Maxwell has a knack of helping you see things in a totally different perspective you would not have otherwise thought of. ‘Unwrapping His Presence’ will help you understand sickness and illness, the purpose of grief, pain, sorrow, heartache and joy. The words help you find hope during the Christmas season and how it can be relevant to your current circumstances,” says KoreLiow, MD, FACP, FAAN, Neurologist and Epileptologist, Director, Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience, and Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of Hawaii John Burns School of Medicine.

Pastor Chris Maxwell encourages readers to “welcome Christ into the season” by “Unwrapping His Presence.”